Braeden's 22 Gallon SPS Dominated Cube

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Aquaticguy11

I forgot to mention, I added a few handfuls of good quality sand from an established tank about a month ago. The cycle definitely happened because I am keeping Hermit Crabs, Snails and SPS in the system right now and they are doing great. Thanks for the heads up though.

Don't rush. The quickest thing in this hobby is failure. Take the time tonight or soonest and read how the Nitrogen cycle works in a reef environment. It takes 2 - 4 weeks AFTER you have added an ammonia source to your tank and frankly you have not added one yet. The live sand you added might contain some of the needed bacteria to get started but it certainly is not a cycled tank. Ask away and we can help

[Nano]

Agreed ask anyone here take it slow, i didnt and crashed my tank. Mind you in my case there were other factors involved but still. Our motto is "go slow, let it grow" I would get someone to hold the livestock for you temporarily and toss a shrimp in to rot and cycle the tank as well as a peice of live rock, rather be safe then sorry

[Snaz]

http://www.rusticgirls.com/animals/n...cle-fish-tank/

Right now your tank is around day 1-5 on this graph. Once the Nitrites start to build up your sps and possibly your CUC will perish and well you will certainly have a nice ammonia source to finish the cylce at the cost of your tankmates.

Give your tankmates to a buddy or back to the store until your tank is properly cycled. Oh and turn off your skimmer as it will slow down your cycle.

[Aquaticguy11]

Oh, I think you guys are misunderstanding me. My tank has been running for about 2 months now. I was just going back in time and explaining my build. I waited over a month to add any livestock. Haha

[Nano]

Originally Posted by Aquaticguy11

There was an instant cycle from adding the 40lbs. of live sand. The Nitrates looked like this for the first 5 days

Day 1: 3ppm
Day 2: 2ppm
Day 3: 2ppm
Day 4: 1ppm
Day 5: 0ppm

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is a full cycle, right?

.....

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Aquaticguy11

Oh, I think you guys are misunderstanding me. My tank is around 2 months old. I was just going back in time and explaining my build. I waited over a month to add any livestock. Haha

So what was the ammonia source in those two months? How long ago did you add the inhabitants? I still feel you are setting up for a crash.

I'm not trying to be mean or bully you but genuinely want to ensure you succeed, that build looks amazing.

[Aquaticguy11]

Ok, sorry for the confusion, I didn't mean for this to be confusing. I will give you a full break down of what I did from day 1. I know you are trying to help. I really appreciate it.

Day 1: Added RO/DI Water

Day 2: Added Salt Mix and Dry Rock

Day 3: Added Live Sand (Says on the bag there is an Instant Cycle (Probably not true so that is why I waited a month to add a few snails and crabs. Also says on the bags of live sand that it uses ammonia cycling.)

Day 10: Added a few handfuls of mature sand from a local's tank. Very good quality. Also added some chaeto

Day 31: Added a couple hermits and Nassarius snails

Day 45: Added Green Pocillopora Frag and some Zoas. Doing great by the way.

Day 55: Added 5 other frags of SPS

Day 58: Today

This is pretty much it.

[Aquaticguy11]

Originally Posted by Nano

.....

This was just showing the first 5 days of testing. Today is day 58 and the nitrates are still undetectable. Sorry for the confusion.

[Nano]

LOL no worries were just trying to make sure you don't suffer the same fate as some. Any live rock? It can take months or even years for dry rock to become truly live

[Aquaticguy11]

Originally Posted by Nano

LOL no worries were just trying to make sure you don't suffer the same fate as some. Any live rock? It can take months or even years for dry rock to become truly live

Thank you for your concern. No live rock yet but my uncle is coming down from Vancouver next weekend with a nice piece from J&L. This will probably do a good job of seeding the tank.